Photographic material conveying apparatus



G. c. BULL ETAL 2,913,973

A PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL CONVEYING APPARATUS Nov. 24, 1959 Filed Aug. 26, 1955 GLEN C. BULL LESLIE C. MARLEN EDWARD R. SABEL United States PatentO PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL CONVEYING APPARATUS Glen C. Bull, Clayton, and Leslie C. Marlen, Overland, Mo., and Edward R. Sahel, Rochester, N.Y., assignors to Haloid Xerox Inc., Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application August 26, 1955, Serial No. 530,872

11 Claims. (Cl. 95-94) This invention relates to improvements in photographic processing machines, and, particularly, to improvements in conveyor systems for advancing photographic negative material through a treating fluid.

Heretofore a variety of processing machines have been proposed for the automatic processing of photographic. film and/or paper. In a typical example of such a prior art devicev a plurality of endless-belt-carrying frames are immersed in a tank of photographic treating fluid and are arranged to convey the film or paper through the fluid during a predeterminedprocessing cycle in order to complete the developing, fixing, or other treating steps that are to be effected. Specifically, in this arrangement, each of the frames is provided with a plurality of endless belts actuated to move on the frames through the treating fluid in the tank and means for alternately guiding the material to be processed progressively between successive pairs of the frames, and also includes tension rollers adapted to hold the endless belts on one frame in frictional contact with the endless belts on the adjacent frame, whereby the material to be treated is conveyed by the belts into and out of the treating fluid in the tank.

Arrangements of the sort described above are in wide commercial use and are particularly advantageous for processing photocopy material. However, when the same equipment is used for the processing of graphic arts materials such as film base or translucent paper base negative material for use in graphic arts work such as photolithoi graphic processes, it is found to produce unsatisfactory results on occasion. Specifically, it is found that the belts employed for conveying the material through the process- `ing tank occasionally leave marks on the negative material that cannot be readily eliminated by convenient darkroom techniques, and tend to render the negative material unfit for its intended use after development. Inasmuch as a substantial amount of make-up' work is usually involved in preparing such graphic arts material, it is not feasible to risk the uncertainty of unsatisfactory development. Therefore, it is customary throughout the industry to process such material by hand, thereby materially increas ing the labor costs involved.

Inasmuch as equipment constructed in'accordance with the above-mentioned concept is illustrative of most existing automatic photographic processing apparatus, a brief comparison of the application of such equipment in the photocopy field with its applications in the graphic arts field is of interest in explaining the problems involved. For example, in processing photocopy material, it is required, in the first instance, to develop a relatively thin layer of emulsion on an opaque paper backing by means of a comparatively fast acting developer of the MQ type so that a great deal of latitude is available in the processing technique. As a result, under reasonably well-controlled processing conditions it is possible consistently to obtain good results using the equipment of the prior art. Occasionally, if temperature conditions are not held within reasonable limits or if the developing agent is approaching exhaustion, it is noted that either light or dark streaks may occur on the processed material in positions that cor' respond to the belt positions of the prior art equipment.

When light streaks occur, they are probably the result of underdevelopment caused by a physical blocking of the developer from the surface of the photocopy emulsionby the belts; whereas, the dark streaks are probably the result of overdevelopment that apparently is caused by or results from oxidation products that adhere to the belts and tend to accelerate developing action in localized areas. In either event, it is found that the defect can be cured by increasing the developer concentration or by increasing developer temperature. In either case developing action is accelerated or increased to produce maximum gamma i it is frequently observed that the finished copy has streaks in positions corresponding to those of the belts... Invariably this type of work requires clean, clear, white areas and dense black areas with a minimum of gradations between the white and black areas. Thus, it is not `generally practical to overdevelop this material in order to eliminate defects because such materials are employed only in conjunction with transmitted light so that the defects are not obliterated or concealed as in the case of viewing photocopy material by reliected light. Furthermore, in the case of halftone reproductions, it has been noted that uneven dot formations may be found in areas in which the belts are in contact with the emulsion `side of the material. A further problem is that with graphicarts materials a caustic high-contrast developer is generally employed so that any attempt to overdevelop to obtain maximum gamma in exposed areas of the film usually results in unwanted gradations f density in other areas of the film, as well as the belt pattern marks.

Although the specific causes for such streaking of graphic arts material are not adequately understood, it is believed that one cause may be pressure sensitization of the emulsion as it is gripped between belts on adjacent frames of the processing equipment. This phenomenon is well-known in connection with certain photographic c materials wherein it is found that the application of pressure to an emulsion, either before or during development, may result in a non-uniform development of the areas to which pressure was applied. The end result is accentuated in the above mentioned type of equipment because the i negative material is usually held between the belts for a period of from l to 21A minutes to complete the developing cycle generally required for paper base or film base negatives, as compared with the 30 to 40-second developingcycle that is required for photocopy material. A furj ther cause of streaking may be the fact that the beltsof most commercial types of equipment tend to drag `developing fluid out of the tank and press it into contact with portions of the emulsion side of the negative material before the surrounding portions are immersed in the developing lluid. As a result, developing action proceeds for a longer period in the areas contacted by a belt than in those in which there is no belt in contact with the emulsion. Even though this period may be relatively short compared to the overall developing time, it is found to have an undesirable eiect on the negative material. Finally, oxidation products of the developing agent are found to adhere to the belts and are believed, under certain` conditions, to cause an alteration of development in areas where the beltis in contact with the emulsionl The principal object of the present invention is to im- L prove the construction and utility of photographic de- Patented N99. 24, 1959 veloping machines. A further object is to minimize the possibility of pressure sensitization of photographic material during automatic processing. A further object is to eliminate the possibility of improper development of portions of an emulsion by premature contact with the developing agent. A further object is to improve the construction of photographic material conveyor systems for use in automatic photographic processing machines. A further object is to provide an improved photographic material conveyor system wherein the emulsion side of the photographic material is contacted only by smoothsurfaced rollers. A further object is to improve the construction of photographic material conveyor systems to obtain uniform developing action over the entire surface of translucent negative material. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved photographic developing machine that may be employed for processing photographic negative material as well as photocopy material.

These and other objects of the invention are attained by means of an improved photographic material conveyor construction wherein a conveyor unit comprising three mutually co-acting sections are arranged to convey photographic material through a processing uid. Specifically, the conveyor unit comprises a central section having a plurality of endless belts and two outer sections each comprising a `plurality of vertically-aligned horizontal rollers that cooperate with the endless belts of the central section and serve frictionally to grip the photographic material and pass it through the processing fiuid. The endless belts of the central section and the rollers of each of the outer sections are driven at constant peripheral speed and in such direction that the rolls of one roller unit cooperate with the portions of the endless belts on one side of the central section to advance the photographic material downwardly into a processing uid, and the rolls of the other roller unit cooperate with the portions of the belts on the other side of the central section to advance the film upwardly and out of the processing fluid. Suitable guides are included to direct the photographic material into the processing fluid and then between the rolls of -the first roller unit and the belts of the central section, and deflecting means are provided to pass the photographic material to a position to be engaged by the second set of horizontal rollers and the central endless-belt section after it has been advanced to the end of the travel permitted by the first set of horizontal rollers and the central belt section. As the photographic material emerges from the processing fluid at the end of its period of engagement with the endless belts and the second set of rolls, it is engaged by suitable guides that direct it preferably through a pair of squeegee rolls to remove excess developing material and then pass it to a second similar processing tank or tray.

In this arrangement the photographic material is fed into the processing tank in a position to engage its emulsion side with the rollers of both roller sections and, since the upper roll of the first roller section is beneath the level of the processing fluid, the processing fluid cannot contact the emulsion side until the material is actually passed beneath the level of the fluid in the processing tank. In addition, this arrangement provides constant agitation of the developer over the emulsion surface throughout the period of passage of the material through the conveyor system. Furthermore, all possibility of air bubbles adhering to the surface of the emulsion is eliminated and uniform development is obtained over the entire surface of the photographic material.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the invention embodied in a photographic processing system;

Fig. 2 is -a side elevation of the photographic material conveyor system of the invention, together with the driving means therefor;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of one of the first roller sections of the conveyor system of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a portion of a negative material transporting roller together with its supporting and driving means.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates the couveyor system of the invention as applied in a photographic negative material processing system of a type with which it is primarily intended for use. The negative material, which may be in the form of sheets or strips, is first exposed in conventional manner in a camera (not shown) and is passed by `any suitable device from the camera to a feed table i on which it may be temporarily stored with its emulsion side down in readiness for passage through the processing system. In the arrangement shown, the negative material may be advanced by hand or mechanically to a pair of constantly rotating feed rolls 2 which grip the negative material and advance it against a suitable deflecting guide 3 whereby it is directed downwardly into a developing fluid y4 contained in a developing tank 5.l Preferably, feed rolls 2 are resiliently urged, rubber covered rolls that are driven through a friction clutch (not shown) whereby differences in feed rate between the feed rolls and the conveyor system, described below, may be compensated.

Briefly, as the leading edge of the negative material advances it is guided between a first roller section 10 and one side of an endless belt section 1l, the respective rollers and belts of which are rotated in such direction as to continue urging the material downwardly and through the processing fluid. As the leading edge of the negative material reaches the end of its travel between roller section 10 and endless belt section 11 it is deflected by a known form of guide assembly 12 which may be of the type disclosed in Garraway reissue patent, No. 22,654, reissued July 3, 1945, whereby it is turned through an arc of and then directed upwardly to be engaged by the other side of endless belt section 11 and a second roller section 13. The negative material is thereby moved upwardly until its leading edge is deflected by suitable guide member assembly 14 that directs it over a horizontal guide plate 15 and between a pair of stainless steel squeegee rolls 16 that remove excess developing fluid from the negative material and also feed the negative material into a processing tray 17 that may contain a stop bath, a fixing bath, or other suitable solution 18.

Specifically, first roller section 10 of the system (see also Fig. 3) includes a rectangular frame member cornprised of a pair of vertical channel members that are connected at their upper ends to substantially rectangular nylon blocks 21 which in turn are connected together by an upper frame member 22. In a similar manner the lower ends of channel members 20 are secured to nylon blocks 23 that are connected together at their bases by a frame member 24. All of the several frame members thus far mentioned, as well as the remaining elements used in this mechanism, are formed of stainless steel or other non-corrosive material that will not be affected by the particular processing uid with which the conveyor system is to be used.

Supported between channel members 20 are a plurality of vertically-aligned horizontally-arranged stainless steel roller assemblies 25 (see also Fig. 4), each of which comprises a length of stainless steel tubing 26 having nylon inserts 27 pressed into each end to prevent thc entrance of processing iiuid into the tubing. Each nylon insert 27 is provided with a reduced shaft-like extension 28 that is journalled in a boss in a nylon block 29 that is secured by a suitable screw 20 in its associated channel member 20 and thereby serves as a bearing to permit tlie rotation of the roller assemblies. The upper roller assembly 2S of section 1t) is arranged at a position such that it is immersed in the developing iiuid at least to the level of its axis of rotation when the section is installed in the developing tank. The lowermost roller assembly of section 10, designated by reference character 34, consists of a stainless steel shaft 31 that is journalled at its ends in holes bored in nylon blocks 23 on channel members 20, and is provided with a plurality of spaced nylon rollers 32 each of which is fixed on shaft 31. Suitable tie rods 33 are provided to maintain channel members 20 in parallel relationship.

For positioning roller section against lateral movement in developing tank 5, the inner surfaces of the side walls of the tank are provided with vertically arranged channel members (not shown) having inwardly extending anges that form guides for the vertical channel members of the section. For supporting the section in the tank, an upward extension plate 35 is secured to each side of the developing tank and is provided with a plurality of saddle-shaped cutouts 36 along its upper edge. These cutouts engage circular bosses 37 formed on the outward faces of nylon blocks 21 on the upper ends of channel members 20 and thereby serve to suspend the entire roller section 10 within the walls of the tank, and maintain lower frame member 24 out of contact with the bottom of the tank. By this arrangement, roller section 10 may readily be removed from the tank for service or adjustment independently of the remainder of the system.

In order to rotate each of the roller assemblies of frame section 10, there is provided a laterally extending drive shaft 39 (see also Fig. 2) that is journalled in upper nylon blocks 21 and extends outwardly on one end and is provided with a worm gear 40 fixed thereto that is driven by a worm 41 on an exterior shaft 42 which, in turn, is driven by a motor 45 -through gearing 43 and a speed changing mechanism 44 wherebl the rate of advance of the photographic material may be adjusted, at will.A Fixed on drive shaft 39, just inside of channel member 2,0, is a sprocket 48 that engages a sprocket chain 49 which, in turn, engages sprockets 50 fixed on shaft extensions 28 of nylon inserts 27 in the roller assemblies 25, aswell as a sprocket 50 fixed on lowermost roller shaft 31.v In the arrangement shown in the drawings, worm gear 40 and worm 41 are selected to drive each of the roller assemblies in a clockwise direction.l Suitable sprocket chain guide members 52 are provided between each adjacent pair of roller assemblies. Each chain guide member 52 is vfixed to vertical channel member 20 and is provided with a turned over portion 53 that main'- tains chain 49 in engagement with sprockets 50 on the driven side thereof, and is also provided with a second turned over portion 54 on its opposite end to hold chain 49 out of engagement with the sprockets on this side of the section.

vTo assist in guiding the photographic material downwardly after it leaves the deecting member 3, section 10 is provided with a guide plate 55 that is secured to upper framemember 22 and extends downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 toward the surface of the developing fluid. Fixed to the lower edge of guide plate 55 are a plurality of guide wires 56 that extend downwardly to a point at which they are substantially tangential to the surface of the upper roller assembly 25. In practice, since the upper roller is substantially immersed in developing fluid, the `lower ends of the guide wires extend slightly into the fluid. As thus arranged, guide wires 56 prevent contact between uppermost roller assembly and any part of the emulsion side of the negative material until the leading edge thereof is immersed in the developing uid, whereby uniform wetting of the negative material is insured.

The second roller section 13 of the conveyor system comprises an apparatus similar in construction and manner of mounting' to first roller section 10 except that it is provided with roller assemblies for the entire vertical length of the'section whereby the negative material may be frictionally driven upwardly to within a convenient distance of squeegee rolls 16. Briefly, thissectio'nindrive shaft 67 of roller assembly 65 is journalled in nylon corner blocks 61 and is provided with a worm gear 68 on its outer end that engages a worm 69 on motor drive shaft 42. The drive shaft 70 of roller assembly 66 is journalled in nylon corner blocks 62. A sprocket chain 72 engages a sprocket 73 fixed on upper drive shaft 67 and also engages similar sprockets 75 fixed to each of the roller assemblies 25 and 66. Worm gear 68 and worm 69 are so selected that the roller assemblies of section 13 are driven at the same peripheral speed and in the same direction as the roller assemblies of first roller 'section 10.

The endless belt section 11 of the conveyor system is mounted in the developing tank in the same manner as roller sections 10 and 13 and is an adaptation of the endless belt sections disclosed in the above-mentioned Garraway reissue patent, No. 22,654, and includes a frame construction similar to that used with the roller sections, above described. Specifically, this frame comprises vertical channel members that have nylon blocks 81, 82 at their upper and lower ends which serve to support upper and lower frame members 83, 84, respectively. Iournalled in nylon blocks 81 is a drive shaft 85 of a roller assembly 86 that is similar in construction to roller assembly 34 of roller section 10 and is provided with a plurality of spaced nylon rollers xed thereon. Shaft 85 is provided at its outer end with a worm gear 89 that cooperates with a worm 90 on motor drive shaft 42 whereby, in the embodiment shown, roller assembly 86 is rotated in a counter clockwise direction. Journalled in suitable bearings in nylon blocks 82 is a shaft 91 of a` roller assembly 92 that includes a plurality of nylon rollers that are spaced in the same relationship as those on roller assembly 34 of section 10.

.Extending around opposing pairs of the nylon rollers on roller assemblies 86 and 92 are a plurality of endless belts` 93 that are preferably formed of a non-corroding material such as glass or Saran webbing, although any comparable type of material may be employed. These belts are of such length that they engage their respective rolls somewhat loosely whereby the respective belt portions on either side of the frame may be extended slightly, by suitable tensioning means, to engage tangentially with the faces of the rollers on each of the adjacent roller sections. For this purpose a plurality of bail members 94, each comprising a pair of arms and a connecting rod are pivotally mounted between channel members 80. Each bail member 94 is resiliently urged outwardly by a suitable coil spring 95 that has one end anchored on channel member 80 and its other bearing against the arm of the bail member. By this arrangement endless belts 93 may be extended outwardly to engage each of the roller assemblies 25 on each of the adjoining roller sections 10 and 13 whereby, when negative material is inserted therebetween, it is lightly, frictionally gripped between the endless belt portions of the center section cooperating with the rollers of each of the roller sections. Obviously, the pressure exerted by belts 93 may be varied at will by proper selection of springs 95 on bail members 94.

To complete the negative material guide partially formed by guide plate 55 on roller section 10, a similar guide piece 97 is mounted on upper frame member 83 of endless belt section 11. Guide member 97 may be a guide plate, similar to the guide plate 55, previously mentioned, or may conveniently be formed of a plurality of guide tabs secured to the turned up edge of frame member 83. In order to guide the negative material after it leaves roller assemblies 25 of roller section 10, a detiecting guide assembly 12 comprising a plurality of deflecting guide members 98 is secured on lower frame member 84 of endless belt section 11. Guides 98 arel spaced between adjacent pairs of the nylon rollers cornprising roller assembly 92 and are formed with upwardly extending end portions that extend into the spaces formed between the nylon rollers on the adjacent roller assemblies 34 and 66. Each of the guide members 98 is provided with a flared leading edge and a curved portion having a radius slightly greater than that of the nylon rolls comprising roller assembly 92. By this means, the leading edge of the negative material, after leaving the lowermost roller assembly 25 of section 10 and while the remainder of the sheet is still frictionally driven by the other rollers, of this section is deflected around the nylon rollers of roller assembly 92 and then upwardly into engagement with roller assemblies 2S of roller section 13 and the portions of the endless belts 93 with which they cooperate.

In order to guide the negative material as it leaves the second roller section, a deflecting guide assembly 14 comprising a plurality of guide members 99 is secured to upper frame member 63 of roller section 13. Guide members 99 are formed of sheet metal and are mounted intermediate the nylon rollers comprising roller assembly 65 and are provided with ared downwardly extending portions that extend between the nylon rollers of roller assembly 36 to intercept the leading edge of the upwardly moving negative material and deflect it through an angle of approximately 90 to roll it outwardly over the top of roller assembly 65 and into engagement with squeegee rolls 16. The latter rolls may be driven by a gear iixed on drive shaft 67 of roller section 13 that engages a gear on the lower squeegee roll, or by any other suitable means.

In the arrangement shown, a sheet of negative material after being processed in the developing tank is passed into a tray which may contain a stop bath, a fixing solution or washing solution or any other desired type of processing solution. Although the invention is shown in combination with a single processing tray, it is apparent that the squeegee rolls could readily be arranged to feed the negative material into a second tank having a similar conveying system as that described above and that any number of tanks could be so provided to make the entire processing completely automatic. Each section would be driven at such timed relationship that the negative material would remain within each solution for a predetermined time period to eect the required processing step.

By the arrangement thus disclosed, it is apparent that negative photographic material may be immersed in a developing or other type of solution before its emulsion side is contacted by any of the solution whereby underdevelopment or overdevelopment may be prevented. The arrangement also provides means whereby the negative material may be frictionally advanced with the application of a minimum amount of pressure applied against the emulsion thereby decreasing the possibility of pressure sensitization of the emulsion. It also provides a means whereby the developing solution in contact with the emulsion is constantly being agitated by the rotating roller yassemblies and thereby bringing fresh developer into contact with the emulsion side of the iilm during its entire progress through the system. The action of the roller assemblies also serves to loosen any air bubbles that may adhere to the surface of the emulsion as the negative material enters the processing tank.

It should be noted that the specific conveyor arrangement disclosed in the drawings is intended primarily for use in conventional photographic processing systems in which the photographic material is fed from a camera 8 emulsion side down. yShould a particular installation be such that the negative material is advanced for processing with its emulsion side up, it is obvious that a conveyor system could be devised, within the scope of the present invention, by arranging a single section of verticallyaligned, horizontally-positioned rollers between two endless belt sections whereby the emulsion side of the negative material would again be maintained in contact with the smooth surfaced rollers during its entire transit througlrthe developing solution. In addition, an array of smooth surfaced, small diameter rollers, extending across the width of the tank, could be placed in bearings and positioned in a semicircular or U-shaped arrangement in place of the guide members presently shown at the v base of the endless belt section to facilitate the movement of the negative material. v

Although the apparatus of the invention is intended primarily for use with film base or paper base negative materials, it is apparent that it may be applied equally well to the processing of other types of photographic materials, such as photocopy material or photographic prints. By inspection, it is apparent that the above described arrangement can be used equally well for processing continuous strips of iilm or individual sheets and, that the size of the sheet that may be processed is determined only by the spacing of the roller assemblies of the first and second roller sections. Therefore, it is intended that all matter contained in this specification be interpreted in an illustrative sense, and that the invention be limited only as deiined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A conveyor system for advancing photographic material through a tank of photographic processing iluid comprising a lirst roller section having a plurality of vertically-aligned horizontally-positioned rollers, the uppermost roller of the iirst section being positioned to be substantially immersed in the processing fluid, a second roller section having a plurality of vertically-aligned horizontally-positioned rollers, said roller sections being positioned in spaced relationship to each other, an endless belt section arranged between said roller sections, said endless belt section comprising a plurality of verticallydisposed endless belts and resilient means for urging said belts into tangential contact with the rollers of each of said roller sections, and means for driving the rollers of both roller sections in a common direction and for driving said endless belts in material feeding relation thereto.

2. A conveyor system for advancing photographic material through a tank of photographic processing fluid comprising a first roller section having a plurality of vertically-aligned horizontally-positioned rollers, the uppermost roller of the first section being positioned to be partly immersed in the processing fluid, a second roller section having a plurality of vertically-aligned horizontally-positioned rollers, said roller sections being positioned in spaced parallel relation, an endless belt section arranged between said roller sections, said endless belt section comprising a plurality of vertically-disposed endless belts extended around horizontally-disposed shafts and resilient means for urging said belts into tangential contact with the rollers of each of said roller sections, and driving means for rotating all rollers of both roller sections in a common direction and for driving said endless belts in material feeding relation thereto.

3. A conveyor system for advancing photographic material through a tank of photographic processing iluid comprising a iirst roller section having a plurality of vertically-aligned horizontally-positioned rollers, the uppermost roller of the iirst section being positioned to be partly immersed in the processing liuid, a second roller section having a plurality of vertically-aligned horizontally-positioned rollers, said roller sections being positioned in spaced parallel relation, an endless belt section arranged between said roller sections, said endless belt section comprising a plurality of vertically-positioned endless belts extended around' horizontally `positioned"shafts and resilient means for urging said beltsin'to tangential contact with the rollers of each of said rollersections, driving means for rotating all rollers of both roller sections in a common direction and for driving said endless belts in material feeding relation thereto, and; means-for guiding photographic material into tangential contact with the uppermost roller of the`7rst roller section.

4. A conveyor system for advancing photographic material through a tank of photographic processing uid comprising a rst roller section having a plurality of vertically-aligned horizontally-positioned rollers, the uppermost roller ofthe first section being positioned to be partly immersed in the processing fluid,a second roller section having a plurality of vertically-aligned horizontally-positioned rollers, saidy roller sections being positioned in spaced parallel relation, an endless belt section arranged between said roller sections, said endless belt section comprising a plurality of vertically-disposed endless belts extended around horizontally-positioned shafts and resilient means for urging said belts into tangential contact with the rollers of each, of said roller sections, driving means for rotating all rollers of both roller sections in a common direction and for driving said endless belts in material feeding relation thereto, whereby .material inserted between said rollers and said endless belts is l frictionally advanced, deflecting means for guiding photorollers, an endless belt section arranged intermediate said roller sections, said endless belt section comprising a plurality of vertically-disposed endless belts supported between horizontally-arranged roller assemblies, resilient means for urging said belts into tangential contact with the rollers of each of said roller sections, each of said roller sections also including a rectangular frame having vertical side members and an upper frame member, means for supporting said rollers for rotation between said vertical side members, driving means for rotating the rollers of both roller sections in a common direction and for driving said endless belts in material feeding relation thereto, and guide means supported from the upper frame member of the first roller section for guiding photographic material into tangential contact with the uppermost roller of the first section.

6. A'conveyor for advancing photographic material through a tank of photographic processing liuid comprising first and second roller sections arranged in spaced parallel relationship, each roller section including a plurality of vertically-aligned and horizontally-positioned rollers, an endless belt section arranged intermediate said roller sections, said endless belt section comprising a plurality of vertically-disposed endless belts supported between horizontally-arranged rollers, resilient means for urging said belts into tangential contact with the rollers of each of-sad roller sections, each of said roller sections also including a rectangular frame having vertical side members and an upper frame member, means for supporting said rollers for rotation between said vertical side members, a sprocket fixed on each of said rollers, a sprocket chain for each conveyor section, each of said chains being operatively engaged with each of the ysprockets in its respective section, driving means for said sprocket chains for rotating the rollers of both roller sections in a common direction and for driving said endless belts in material feeding relation thereto, and guide 4 means supported from `the upper frame memberv of the rst roller section for guiding photographic material into tangential contact with the uppermost roller of the iirst section.

7. A conveyor for advancing photographic material through a tank of photographic processing fluid comprising first` and second roller sections arranged in spaced parallel relationship, each roller section including a plurality of vertically-aligned and horizontally-positioned rollers, the uppermost roll of the first roller section being positioned to be all or partly immersed in the processing Huid, anV endless belt section arranged intermediate said roller sections, said endless belt section comprising a plurality of vertically-positioned endless belts supported between horizontally-arranged rollers, resilient means for urging said belts into tangential contact with the rollers of each of said roller sections, each of said roller sections also including a rectangular frame having vertical side members `and an upper frame member, means for supporting said rollers for rotation between said vertical side members", a sprocket fixed on each of said rollers, a sprocket chain for each conveyor section, each of said chains being operatively engaged with each of the sprockets in its respective section, driving means for said sprocket chains for rotating the rollers of both roller sections in a common direction and for driving said endless belts in material feeding relation thereto, whereby photographic material inserted between said rollers and said endless belts is frictionally advanced, feed means for inserting photographic material between said endless belts and the rollers of the first roller section, deflecting means for guiding photographic material from engagement with the rst roller section to engagement with the second roller section, and guide means supported from the upper frame member of the first roller section and extending into the processing iluid for guiding photographic material into tangential contact with the uppermost roller of the first section.

8. A conveyor for advancing photographic material through a tank of photographic processing iluid comprising first and second roller sections arranged in spaced parallel relationship, each roller section including a plurality of vertically-aligned and horizontally-positioned rollers, the uppermost roller of the first lroller section being positioned to be partly immersed in the processing fluid, an endless belt section arranged intermediate said roller sections, said endless belt section comprising a plurality of vertically-disposed endless belts supported between horizontally-arranged rollers, resilient means for urging said belts into tangential contact with the rollers of each of said roller sections, each of said roller sections also including a rectangular framehaving vertical side members and an upper frame member, means for supporting said rollers for rotation between said vertical side members, a sprocket xed on each of said rollers, a sprocket chain for each conveyor section, each of said chains being operatively engaged with each of the sprockets in its respective section, variable speed driving means for said sprocket chains for rotating the rollersl of both roller sections in a common direction and for driving said endless belts in material feeding relation thereto, whereby photographic material inserted between said rollers and said endless belts is frictionally advanced, feed means for inserting photographic material between said endless belts and the rollers of the lirst roller Section, deecting means for guiding photographic material from engagement with the rst roller section to engagement with the second roller section, a receiving platform mounted adjacent the second roller section, additional dellecting means for guiding photographic material from .engagement with the second roller section to said receiving platform, and guide means supported from the upper frame member of the first roller section and extending into the processing iluid for guiding photographic material into tangential contact with the uppermost roller of the first section.

9. A conveyor for advancing photographic material into a tank of photographic processing fluid including a roller section having a plurality of vertically-aligned horizontally-positioned rollers, the uppermost roller of said section being arranged to be partly immersed in the processing fluid, an endless belt section arranged adjacent said roller section, said endless belt section comprising a plurality of vertically disposed endless belts extended around horizontally positioned shafts and resilient means for urging said belts into tangential contact with the rollers of said roller section, driving means for rotating all rollers of the roller section in a common direction and for driving said endless belts in material feeding relation thereto, and means for guiding photographic material into tangential contact with the uppermost roller of the roller section.

10. A conveyor for advancing photographic material in a tank of photographic processing liquid including a roller section having a plurality of vertically aligned horizontally positioned rollers immersed in the liquid, an endless belt section arranged adjacent said roller section, said belt section comprising a plurality of vertically disposed endless belts extended around horizontally lpositioned shafts and resilient means for urging said belts into tangential contact with the rollers of said roller section, a rst driving means for rotating all rollers of the roller section in a common direction, a second driving means for driving the endless belts in material feeding relation to said rollers, and means for guiding photo- 12 graphic material into position to be advanced by said rollers and belts.

11. In a conveyor system for advancing photographic material through a tank of processing liquid, the combination of a roller section including a plurality of vertically aligned, horizontally positioned rollers immersed in the liquid, said rollers being smooth-surfaced and substantially cylindrical in form and being closelyspaced to form a substantially continuous support surface for photographic material, driving means for rotating all of said rollers in a common direction, a belt section including a plurality of vertically disposed endless belts arranged adjacent to the roller section, said belt section including resilient means for urging said belts into surface contact with said rollers, and means for driving the endless belts in material feeding relation to the rollers and at a peripheral speed equal to the peripheral speed of the rollers.

References Cited in the tile of this patent France Oct. 7, 1935 

